Poll Shows Economy Remains Americans' Biggest Worry

Despite recent signs of improvement, a new poll showed that the economy remains Americans' top concern, unchanged from last year.

The Gallup poll found that Americans worry most over the issue of the economy out of 15 U.S. issues.

The survey found that 71 percent of people worry "a great deal" about the economy. Trailing not far behind, 65 percent of people said they worry "a great deal" about gas prices.

The percentage of Americans reporting a great deal of worry about the economy is unchanged from last year and remains at the highest level recorded since 2001, according to Gallup.

Concerns about unemployment had followed a similar trend but have dipped slightly over the past two years, while concerns about health care have been consistently high.

"Economic issues in general are more worrisome to Americans than a number of other problems facing the country," Gallup Senior Editor Lydia Saad wrote. "These include strictly economic issues, such as 'the economy,' gas prices, and unemployment, but also extend to the federal budget deficit and the cost and availability of healthcare."

Saad added, "Illegal immigration, crime, drugs, and race relations are among the issues Americans find less troubling. And according to Gallup trends dating to 2001, these issues have tended to rate lower on the list."

The survey of 1,024 adults was conducted from March 8th to 11th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.